Ask A-LIGN: Is SSAE 16 a Certification?

Here’s why: It is incorrect to say that you are SSAE 16 certified, because there is not a certification awarded to you after the engagement. The appropriate wording would be to state, “we have received an unqualified (Type 1 or Type 2) SSAE 16 report as a result of a service auditor performing an audit in accordance with SSAE 16 on the services within the scope of our review.”

Once we have issued a final report to our clients, we will then issue the AICPA SOC Logo Guidelines form. The guidelines will explain exactly who can use the logo, how to use it appropriately, and when you must end the use or display of the logo.